Boeing, Northrop in Race for USAF Strategic Deterrent ICBM Project

Boeing and Northrop Grumman are going to compete for the US Air Force next-generation nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program, known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD).

As reported by Sputnik, both the US firms are planning to submit a proposal for the GBSD sooner. On July 29, the US Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, ICBM Systems Directorate, GBSD Division, issued a request for proposals at FedBizOpps.Gov to defense industry for the development and maintenance of the GBSD.

Northrop Grumman Vice President for Strategic Communications Randy Belote told Sputnik: "Northrop Grumman plans to submit a proposal to the USAF for the technical maturation and risk reduction phase of GBSD as a prime contractor". 

Meanwhile, Boeing is confident that the firm will be able to meet all the requirements as per this contract. "Boeing will respond [and] given Boeing’s proven capabilities in ICBM design, development, production, deployment, and sustainment, we are confident the US Air Force can rely on Boeing to develop a low-risk GBSD weapon system,” the company’s Strategic Missile and Defense Systems spokesperson Queena Jones was quoted as saying in the report.

The new GBSD weapon system will be in compliance with existing national requirements and it has the adaptability and flexibility to affordably address changing technology and threat environments through 2075. The new weapon system will be designed to replace the LGM-30 Minuteman III ICBM.